Loose-leaf binder.



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APPLIUATIGN FILED 00T.3. 1903.

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No. 860,885. v PATENTED JULY 23, `1907. W. S. PROUDPIT, JR.l LOOSE LEAP BINDER.

APPL'IOATIONIHLED oom, 1903.

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WILLIAM S. PROUDFIT, JIL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 231907.

appurato mea october 3,1903. sexismo. 175.540.

To` all 'whom 'it `may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM S. PRoUDrIT, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, inthe county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented abook; third, to make the binder adjustable to more or los-s leaves; fourth to provide positive clamps for the adjusting means; fifth, to Yafford facilities for the proper securing of the leaves, and sixth to provide a cheap and durable construction.

I ain aware that heretofore binders have been made for the purpose of binding together loose leaves, and also made adjustable to more or less leaves; but there has always been some objections to their construction. One of the main objections is, that they do not allow the book to open fiat. This most common objection I completely overcome by the construction shown in the accompanying three sheets of drawings.

I construct aback which is sufficiently stiff and rigid, preferably sheet metal, and adjustable to accommodate more or less leaves. To secure the leaves within or to tho back in a flexible manner, I provide flat steel springs which are secured to the covers, to extend between thc two free edges of the back. The two covers are hinged in any suitable In anner tothe free edges of the back, and the leaves are provided with suitable hooked projections to be hooked onto the f'lat springs. While I prefer to make these fiat connecting strips of spring steel, they may be made of any suitable material and'of any preferred shape.

On account of the fiat springs extending between the free edges of the back, it becomes necessary to lengthen and shorten them when leaves are inserted or extracted. To accomplish this I provide in one of the covers means whereby extensions of the said springs can be accommodated and drawn out as required. I also provide in the saule cover means for clamping or holding the said `extensions ofthe springs,

' To positively have the binder force thebook to open Hat I makel tho distance between the free edges of the` back less than will easily accommodate all the leaves contained in theA book, and so set the. at'stoel springs that they ywill be compelled to lio other than in a straight liuc between said two edges, usually in a semicircular form either outward or inward. It will be understood that the length of the steel springs between the free edges of the back is preferably ygreater than the distance between these edges on a straight line, so that the springs are positively forced to lie in a 'curved position between the edges of the back. The curve in which the springs lie is determined by the position or'l the covers because the springs are secured to said covers, and are not attached in any way to the back. When the book is closed the position of the covers force the leaf carrying spring strips into curves, approximately parallel with the curvature'of the back, see Figure 3. When the book is opened at any place; it centers at the point of opening, because of the rocking movement of the U shaped back. When the point of Opening is at the center of the book the leaf carrying spring strips are forced into curves with their convex surfaces in anv opposite direction from that when the book is closed and, their greatest elevation is at the point of opening, see Fig.- 2L When in this position, if the leaves are turned toward either cover, the cover approached is elevated and the opposite cover depressed and the leaf carrying spring strips are forced by this change of position ofthe covers, into compound or S shaped curves, with their greater altitude always at the point of opening, thus allowing the leaves adjacent to the opening to be flat, without obstruction from the leaves beneath. i

I will now ,describe in detail one construction of my device and it will be understood that numerous changes in the construction and material could be made without departing from the scope of my invention.

As far as I know there has never been an adjustable loose-leaf binder made for a book that would open fiat at any desired page therein, which would permit of single leaves being firmly bound therein or removed therefrom without disturbing the other leaves of the book, and I therefore make claim to a binder of that nature broadly, the construction shown giving only one way in which this can benaccomplished.

Referring to the drawings in whichsimilar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views; Fig. 1, is a perspective view of a binder constructed in accordance with 'my invention, with the covers open and without anyleaves therein, parts being broken away to facilitate the illustrating; Fig. 2, is a crossse'ction through the same in an open lposition and filled with leaves; Fig. 3, is a similar view of the same in a closed position; Fig. 4, is a section on line one of thev hooks'on a leaf; Fig. 10, is a section on line lO-IO of Fig. :9; Fig. 1l, is a face view of a modified ving its fastening hooks; Fig. 9, is an enlarged view of Y view of a simple form of binder embodyingmy invention.

,Referring to Fig. 1, 15 are the covers'made of any ordii nary stiff board, and are hinged to the back 16 in any manner, as for instance by the cloth covering which is sometimes used to give the desired finished appearance.

A I, however, prefer to employ the link hinge 17 besides the cloth or leather connection. The back 16 consists of'three pieces, the two sliding sides 18 and thecentral support 19. The link hinges 17 are pivoted to the ends of the sides 18 and also to the ends oi flat braces 20 which are secured to the covers 15 by rivets 21`or other- Y wisc. The sides 18 overlap above the central lsupport vand lare bent at about right angles to extend substantiallyparallel upward, makingthe back 1 6 ofy a semicircular or U shape. The upper edges of the sides c or- 20 responding to the top ends of a U, are' bent inward slightly on a bevel as at 22, see Figs. 2 and 3. The edges of the braces 20 adjacent to these sides 18 are bent slightly outward as at 23 and coperate with the bent edges 22. Thus when the book is closed as -shownin Fig. 3, the edges 22 and 23 will rest together and vthe pressure necessary to press 4the leaves tautly together will be exerted directly against the rigid sides 18 instead of bringing any strain on the hinges 17.

To properly adjust the sides 18 to the number oi and gear rod 27. The rod 27 is provided at one or both ends with the squared head 28, and has its bearings in supporting frames 29 'secured to the ends of the centralV brace or suppo`rt 19 of the back 16. The rod 27 is alsok provided with a small gear 30, which meshes with the idler 26 which meshes with the pinion 25. The pinion.v

25 is vof sufficient width to accommodate the meshing with the rack-bars 24 beside the idler 26. bar 24 is secured to one ofthe sides 18 of the back 16 and the other rack-bar 24 is secured to the remaining side 18 of the back 16. The rack-bars 24 are located above and below the pinion'25 so that the rotation of the pinion 25 in one direction'will move the sides'lS away from eachother, and the rotation of the pinion 25 in the other direction will move the sides 18 toward each other. The 'rackbars 24 areguided to be held in constant mesh' with the pinion 25 in-ways provided in the brackets 29.

To lock the rod 27 and thus the sides 18 in any desired position I-provide apivoted lever 31 on the bracket 29 whichhas 'a rectangular recesss 32 in its free end to fit over the squared head 28 and prevents its rotation. Whenit is desiredto rotate the rod .27, to adjust-the sides 18 of the-back 16 a key having a square hole is placed on the head 28 and the'lever 31 is swung on its pivot so that the recess 32 is brought outof engagement with the head 28.

To keep thesides 18 in proper position in relation to each other and to the support 19-1 provide the antiiriction rollers 33 on the frame 29 and the lugs34 and 35 onthe support 19 and one ofthe sides 18 respectively,"

l'One rackr into a binding and have therefore made claim to su'ch such springs but there may be any number. These springs extend over to and underneath clamps 37 provided 'on the brace 20` on the remaining cover and as far beyond as is necessary to accommodate `the adjustability' oi the binder. 1 prefer to have this v extra 70 length of the springs 36 to slide into sockets maderin the cover 15 and to have uninterrupted passages l'or theA same l provide the slides 38 which may be secured to the brace 20. A cam rod 39 is arranged to pass through the lugs or extensions 40 on the ciamps 37, and is pro- 7 5 vided with the cams 41 to engagethe periorations 42 in said lugs 40. The exposed end of the cam rod is squared to enable it to be turned by a key. The cams 4l. are constructed eccentric on the rod-'39 and as the rod 39 is turned its one side will bear against the face 8()` of the brace 20 while all the cams 41 will bear against one side ot' the perforations 42 so as to pull the clamps 37 `firmly against thesprings36 and thus hold them seciuely. l prefer to place a sheet metal covering 43 over the rod'39 to keep vit clear from obstructions. 85

`'lhe leaves 44 are'provided' with the hook shaped extensions 45-positioned toregister` with the springs 36;

A plurality of hooks 45 openin one direction and prel'- erably the one nearest the bottom of the leaf opens in the opposite direction, to enable the leaves to be' insert- 90 `ed orwremovcd in the ordinary manner.- The' hook 45 may be made 'of metaland secured with glue or otherwise to the edge of `the'leaf, as by the strips of cloth 46.

l In Fig. 11, lha've Showna modification o the leaf fastening hook 45, this being made' integral with the 95 leaf.. The preferred form is, however, to .make the hook.45 of metal as there is a certain amount of friction between the hooks 45 and the strips 36, whichlwould soon cause the hooksA to wear vand tear if madeot Aother material. To insert a leaf into the book the clamps 37 v100 are loosened by turning the rod 39 with a key and the 'back 16 is extended by rotating the rod 27 with a key.

i spring 36, and 'all that remains to be done is to re-adjust the clamps 37 and the back 16, to-have the book ready for use.

It will be noticed that to hook the lowermost hook 45 under its coperatingspring 36 it necessarily has to be turned to a position at right-angles to the leaf, because' .the remaining hooks'on said leal' prevent the lealii from being mowed down far enough to allow the lowerinost hook to passupder the spring 36.' I therefore prefer to 'make the lowcrmost hook on cach leat` of such foriu'that 120 it'will not bo necessary to bend the metal, but only the`4 `connecting cloth portion. i

rll am not aware that any loosel'eavcs have over 'been made with a hook portion asl'have shown to secure it a construction broadly.

, In Figs. 12 and 13 I have illustrated a niodiiicd foini of clamping device for the back 16, which consists ol' a bracket 47 ol substantially inverted U- shape, and a forked ciainp 48 which contacts with the two sides 18, 130

tional posts 50 to provide for and is moved down by rotating a cam pin 49 thus clamping the sides 18 togetherhetween the clamp 48 and the back support.` 19. i

In Fig. 14, I have shown a. binder made substantially the saine as heretofore described but with the back open and the two sides 18 secured together by seethe adjustment ot' the same. i y

Having thus described my invention hilly. what` I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent oi the United States is- 1. binder comprising. a haelt. lloose leaves` covers hinged to said back; means between the hinged edges ot' the covers to bind said loose leaves consisting of a plurality of tlat springs secured to said covers and suitable L shaped notches in the edges of the leaves; andqneans for adinsting t-lie hinged edges of the cov to bind against the edges of thi` leaves. said covers serving to bend said llat springs into such form when the leaves are opened. as to canse the leaves to lie llat.

2. tlat opening. loose leaf adjustable bindei', eoinprising two non tlexible covers. loose leaves. tlatAv spriugmetal bindingr straps secured to said-covers and means whereby any single leaf may be inserted or removed without disturbing ot'liers. said means comprising L shaped notches in the edg(xy ot the leaves to coiperate With'said binding straps. i I I Il. binder including a plurality ot spring strips leaves individually detachably secured to said strips b v suitable hook shapednotches being provided in the edge ol' each leat l'or the reception oi' said strips. an adiustabie back. and two covers hinged to said hack. said spring strips lieing secured to said covers.

4. A\ binder comprising :i plurality ol` spring strips leaves individually detaehably secured to said strips by L shaped notches. being provided in the edge ot each leat for the reception ot said strips. an adjustable back and two envers hinged to said haelt. said spring strips being rigidly secured to one cover and adjustably secured to the other cover.

5. in a binder, a U shaped back. covers aped back.

hinged to the U leaves. longitudinally non-resilient spring rips secured to the covers in such manner that the ends oi` the springs are always parallel with said covers. and. nierins for independently detaclialil) securing said leaves to siid'sprin': strips. said means notches in thev spring stri s.

ti. ln a binder, a back, covers hinged to said back steel leaf springs rigidly sccui'ed to the covers and leaves independently detaehably secured to said springs by L shaped notches provided in the edge ot each leaf i'r the reception ot' said leaf springs.

'i'. In a binder. a back. covers hinged to said hack, steel lea tl springs adiustably secured to said coive s, the ends; oi.' said springs always being retained in a plane parallel to their respective adjacent' cover. and leavesr` detachalily secured to said lea t' springs by L shaped notches provided in the edge oi" each ieat' for the reception of said leaf springs.

S. ln a binder. the combination of an adjustable back having two covers hinged thereto. a plurality of adjustable spring straps secured to said covers in such manner that the ends of the straps are always heldparallel with said covers. leaves independently detachably secured to said spring straps b v L shaped notches provided in the edge of each leaf tor the reception of said spring straps, means for adjusting said back and means for adjusting said spring straps.

t). ln a binder, th'o combination of two covers hinged to a back. means for adjusting said back. comprising two` rack bars and :i gear pinion to mesh with the same: flexible strips to support the leaves connected between the covers and means tor clamping the tree ends of said strips. A.iid means comprising a rock-shalt provided with cams to' move cl:inipsag.1inst said strips.

l0. in a hook the combination of covers, an intermediate connecting means having tlexlble connections with the covers and connecting them. and aleal' holdlnii,l strip arranged comprising L shaped' edge of each lead t`oi' the reception of saidV to curve toward the' frontsof the book as the covers are opened and to assume an opposite ein-ve as the covers are Closed.

1l. In a binder. two covers hinged to 'P a longitiu dinal tiange on the cover and a longitudinal llange on the haelt. said ilanges overlapping so as to sustain the 'sii-aiu when the binder c0veis are closed.

12. in `a bindeiithe combination of tivo covers hinged to a back` and a plurality of spring str `fastened to saidfovers to always retain them in .i,planc .parallel to said covers leaves deiachzibly.scoured t-o said -spring strips by L notches being provided in llie edge of each 'le-at" for tbe reception ot' .aid spring strips. all oi` said par s beingr so connected and arranged that' when the bool: is opined. the said leat' carrying spring strips ari` foi-eed to 'a position to canse tht,` leaves to lie ilat at any plat-'e ot opening, y

1li. ln a loose leaf binder. a plurality ot leaf carrying sprin strips having their ends rigidly secured to two co\ 4 ers-said covers hinged io a. senii-cylindrical back. the said spring strips. covers and back being so connected and ai'- V ranged to operate when the bool; isopened that th'e leaves wil'lvlie llat. f

.i-i. ln a boeit the combination of covers. an intermediate connecting means having llexihle lconnections willi the cov ers and connecting them, and :i leat"holding strip secured to tlie covers bridging tht.` space between the saine and ai'- ranged to ein-ve toward the t'ront ot' the book are opened and to assume an opposite curve are closed.

1.1. in a binder for a book. shaped back. covers hinged to strips: nicaiis l'or securing each strip `to said covers near the hinge with an intermediate portion between the cov? ers. the intermediate portion ot the vvstrips being longer than a straight line between the secured points. the said means being arranged to dellect the intermediate portion ot' the strips toward the back ot' the book as the covers are a back. said hinge as the covers t'lie combination of a U said back. and resilient closed and in au opposite direction as the covers are opened.

1li. ln a binder for a bool", the combination of a U shaped back. covers hinged to said back. and a resilient strip: means tor securing the strip to said covers near the hinges with an intermediate portion between tlnihcovers. the intermediate portion ot' the strip being longer than a straight line between the secured points. the said means being arranged to detleel the intermediate portion of the stiiptoward the back ot' the book as the covers are closed and as the covers -are opened to give. `the secured ends 0f the strip a direction to snap the intermediate portion of the strip past a straight. line between the secured points and away t'roin the back.

1 7. in a binder for a book. the combination of a U shaped back. covers hinged to said back and spring strips. said spring strips being laterally resilient and longitudinally non-resilient; means torv securing each strip to the covers near the hinges with an intermediate portion between the covers longer than the distance between said secured points, said inter iediate portion being adjusted to snap back and forth acr a straightrline between thesecured points, as the covers are opened and closed. i

18. In a binder for a book. the combination of a back, covers hinged to said back. and strips secured t0 the covers 'near the hinges with an intermediate portion between the covers longer than the distance between the secured points. said strips being longitudinally non-resilient and laterally resilient toward the front and back flexible toward the top and bottom of the book, and means for dettecting the intermediate portion of the strip toward tli back ot'i'lhe book as the covers are closed and toward the front ot` the book as the covers are opened.

it). In a binder for a book the combination with a back and covers hinged to said back. of resilient: strips: and means for securing each strip to the covers. said means bein;r arranged to maintain a part of the strip iinniediateiy adjacent to each cover in line with the cover.

2U. ln a binder for a hook, ilii` coiiiiiiiiatlon with a haelt and covers hinged to said back ot resilient; strips: and means for seeiiringceaeh strip to the covers wih an intermediate portion ot the st rip between tlie coileisfsneh interA as the covers'.

of the book and in-4 lriviiig their ends portion past a straight linebetween the secured points. asr

the covers are opened and closed. 21. In a binder for a book the `combination with and covers hinged to said back, of resilient leaf holding strips: and means for securing each strip to the covers, with an intermediate portion of ,the strips between the covers longer than the distance between the securing points. said means being arranged to maintain a part of the strip immediately adjacent .to'each cover in line therewith and to deflect the part between said aiined portions toward the back of the bookV as the covers are closed and in an opposite direction as the covers are opened.

2.2. in a binder for a loose leaf book the combination of va semicircular adjustable back; covers hinged to said diate part of the strip toward the back of the book as the covers are closedfand in an opposite direction as thecovi ers are opened. means for adjusting the length of the poriion of said strip between 4the secured points: and means for adjusting the width oftsaid back.

23. A bookhavingrovers ,hinged to a U shaped adjustable back, resilient strips connected to the covers, leaves attached to said strips. the connecting means between the strips and the covers forcing said strips to lie in curved lilies parallel with the back when the covers are closed and forcing them awa).v from thc back as the covers are opened: and means for adjusting the width of the back.

24. A book having front and back covers hinged'to a U shapediback. resilient., strips attached to said' covers with an intermediate portion ot each stripA lying'between the covers in a curved line parallel with the back when the covers are close i,.and arranged to snap away from theback. past a straight line betwecn'the free edges of the back when the\covers are opened; and leaves attached to .the intermediate portions of said strips.

25. In a book the combination of a curved adjustable back. covers hinged vto the back, resilint strips adjustably con nected between said covers in sncha maner that an end lol each strip will be maintained in alinement with the a back means for securing each strip to the between the covers,v leaves individually detachably secured curves parallel with the back when the book is closed andy forcing them away from the back across a straight imaginary lint,` between the top edges of the back when the book is opened.

27. In a book the combination of covers, an intermediate connectingV means having iiexible connections with 'the cov` ers and connecting them: and a resilient leaf holding strip` arranged to be flexed as the covers are opened'to an arched position extending in front of the plane of the opened cov-V ers and to recede from such archedposition as the covers are closed.

i 281 In a book lthe combination of covers, an intermediate connecting' means having flexible connections with' the cov: ers and connecting them, and a resilient. leaf holdin."r strip secured to the covers bride-ing` the space between them, and

arranced so that an intermediate portion of said strip will 'be moved io a position beyond thc hinged edges of thc'covers towards the front of the book as the covers are vopened and in an opposite direction as the covers are closed.

29. Ina book the combination of covers. an intermediate connecting' means having flexible connections with the covers and connecting themfand a leaf holdimr strip arranaed that. an internndl'atc portion of said Ysftrip will be moved to a position bevond the hinged edges of the covers toward the front-of the book by the action of the covers as they are opened and will recede from said position as the covers are closed.

.'ill. ln a book the combination of covers. an intermediate connecting.v means having flexible connections with the covers and cirnnecting: them. and a resilient leaf holding strip havingt its ends secured to the covers -and swinging therewith to llex the intermediate portion of said strip.

2:1. in a book the combination of covers. an intermediate connecting means having tiexible connections with tin` covers and connecting them. and a-resilient leaf holding sti-ip havingf its ends'seenred to the covers and swing-inf: therewith. the'secnred-cnds beingr distano-ed to exert' compression upon the strip when the ends of the strip are brought into alineinent.

3;. ln a loose-leaf book the'coinbination of a pair o'i covers having. mortises near their back edges,v longitudinalljv non-extensible elastic bindingr strips adapted to have their. ends inserted into thi` mortises. and means for holdin nv the covers in engagement with the lrindiny.r strips.

in testimonywhereof l have signed my nameto this specification this 30th day of September, 10mi.

to said strips; means for forcing said strips to' lie in' 5 

